How long should streaming devices be expected to last? That question is being raised again as Amazon faces a class action lawsuit over 1st and 2nd generation Fire TV sticks.
The proposed class action alleges that Amazon effectively "bricked" Fire TV sticks released in 2014 and 2016 after it ended software support in December 2022 and March 2023.
Owners claim the devices have either stopped functioning entirely or have become extremely slow and prone to constant buffering, according to the New York Post. They also argue that Amazon has not addressed the issues, leaving customers feeling pressured to purchase new hardware.
How long should support last?
The 1st and 2nd generation Fire TV Sticks received software support for around 8 and 7 years respectively. This is longer than many typical smart TVs but shorter than devices such as Apple TV and Nvidia Shield.
While the devices continued to function in a limited capacity after support ended, key apps were gradually affected. The Netflix app stopped working on these Fire TV sticks as reported by FlatpanelsHD in May 2025.
Also read: Smart TVs are becoming increasingly ad-driven and data-hungry
Amazon's 1st generation Fire TV Stick from 2018. Photo: AmazonShould update periods be disclosed?
The lawsuit seeks damages and nationwide class action status, and accuses Amazon of deceptive marketing for failing to clearly inform customers about how long software support would be provided.
The case touches on a broader regulatory debate. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in 2024:
- "Manufacturers' failure to disclose the duration of their software support commitments warrants further consideration by policymakers and law enforcers. Manufacturers marketing a device as having certain features and then subsequently failing to provide software updates needed to maintain those features raises concerns about consumer harm resulting from deceptive practices."
- Source: New York Post
